Switch point construction



Aug. 25, 1931. o. A. DICKSON 2 SWITCH POINT CONSTRUCTION I OriginalFiled Nov. 29; 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N inventor A ttorney Patented Aug.25 1931 UNITED STAT 'PATENTOFFICE:

OSCAR A. DIOKSON, OFTUCSON, ARIZONA I SWITCH POINT CONSTRUCTIONApplication filed November 29,1929, Serial No.'410,5a7. Renewed June 15,1931,

This invention has reference to certain improvements in railway andswitch point structure of the type designed to allow movement of therails longitudinally independent of i each other while being heldsecurely together against lateral movement to compensate for variabletemperatures in weather conditions and to decidedly promote safety andto minimize wear on the rails. V

The principal novelty is predicatedupon certain improvementsandrefinements found in the employment of a unique arrangement ofelements cooperating in a more dependable and satisfactory manner tofulfill the requirement of a construction of this class in a highlysatisfactory and efficient manner.

The particular structural details in their arrangement and associationwill become more readily apparent from the following de- 7 L5 scriptionand drawings".

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a rail switch pointconstruction as devised in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately upon theplane of the line 22' of Figure 1, V t

Figure 3 is an end view of the spacer block, Figure at is an end view ofthe clamp retain- C ing wedge,

Figure 5 is a top plan View of said wedge, Figure 6 is a fragmentaryview of one of the hooked end portions of the special clamp. In thedrawings in Figure 1, the reference 5 character 7 designates one railand 8 the other rail which are arranged in usual converging spacedrelation cooperable with the sections of the rail 8 with the usualfish-plate 9 which bridges the joint between the sections.

451 Between the rails and also bridging the joint is a spacer or fillerblock 10 of substantially conventional configuration. As

seen in Figure 2 this spacer block has its longitudinal edge portionconstructed to engage the base flange, web, and head of the rail.

Also in accordance with my invention I provide along one side aplurality of countersunk bolt head receiving sockets 11 which as seen inFigure 3 are substantially rectangular 59 in shape, to receivetherectangular shaped bolt head of a bolt 12 shown in Figure 2. V The bolts12 have their threaded ends extending through the web of the rail 8 andalso through bolt holes in the fish-plate 9.

Projecting threaded ends "are provided 65 with customary retaining nuts13. The square socketsprevent rotation, of the bolts 12 and facilitateapplication of the nuts 13.

I also wish to call attention to the fact that on the pocketed side ofthe spacer blockand at the top thereof I provide an oil delivery channel14 having suitable entrance ports at 15; i

.The oil channel 14 allows the flow of oil in a longitudinal directionand lubricates the adjacent surface of the rail 8so that it has freelongitudinal movement with respect to the companion rail 7. I beg toinvite attention to the clamp 16 as seen in Figure 2 which is in thenature of a narrow plate having hooked ends 17 and 18 which embrace therails forpreventing them from moving in a direction away from eachother. The hook 17 directly engages the fish-plate 9. The hook 18engages the vertical portion of the longitudinally adjustable retainingwedge 19.

This wedge it will be observed has a flange 20 engaging the base flangeof the rail and also has an abutment in the shoulder 21. Then too Iprovide a multiplicity of keeper holes22'as seen in Figure 5 toaccomodate the cotter key shown in dotted lines at 23 in Figure 2.

- The clamp 16 together with the adjustable wedge holds the two railstogether taking the place of a rail chair such as is frequently 7employed for the purpose. This clamp may be easily installed by applyingit to the point of the switch and then sliding it back into place beforethe rails are spiked to the tie.

This clamp and wedge attachment may be inexpensively manufactured and isexceptionally simple in construction. :Then i too it can be easilyadjusted and when once in place with the nuts on the bolts it cannotpossibly'shift out of position. i

The wedge is used to adjust the tensionof the clamp. It may be driven inas far as desired and then held in place by means of the cotter .key, asshown. It is provided with 9 oilways 24 so that lubrication may be usedto eliminate friction and to allow free movement of the rails withrespect to each other. The spacer block, sometimes referred to as afiller and also referred to as a heel block, is distinctive in that itincludes the means for circulation of oil and countersunk sockets of adepth to allow the bolts to be retracted so that the clamp may be easilyplaced in position.

From the foregoing des'ription and drawings it will be seen that I haveevolved and produced a novel assembly of parts of such construction andoperation as to provide an assembly capable of fulfilling therequirement of railway appliance of the type specitied.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a switch pointstructure embodying a pair of companion rails, a fish plate disposed onthe exterior and bridging the joint between the sections of one rail,clamping means for securing the rails together to prevent separation ofthe rails, a spacing block interposed between the rails and providedbelow one inner top edge with lubricant receiving and conducting longitudinal channels, said side adapter to contart the movable rail andhaving deep squared sockets in said side communicating with bolt holes,through the block and bolts having their headed ends arranged in sandsockets and their threaded ends extending through 'the opposite side ofthe block, through the web of the adjacent rail, and through a hole insaid lish plate, and provided with. retaining nuts, said sockets beingdeep enough to permit partial withdrawal of the bolts to permitadjustment of the fish plate.

2. In a structure of the class described, a pair of spaced convergingrails, a spacer block interposed between the rails provided withlubricant conducting channels near one upper edge, and a fish platedisposed along the web portion of one of the rails, belts passingthrough said block and said rail and said fish plate and securing themin plat-g and a clamp comprising a plate having hooks e):- tending fromthe base portion of each of the rails to the upright plate portion, andmid hooks engaging over the base flanges of the rails, one of saidhooizs engaging the face oi the lish plate. and an adjustable wedgedis;- posed between the statimiary rail and the con panion. book of theclamp, and oil distributing longitudinal grooves near the upper edges ofthe other book and the spacer blocs where they contact with the movablerail.

3. In a structure of the class described, a stationary rail and amovable rail in converging relat on, a 8}).(291 block interposed betweenthe rails and provided with lubricant distributing means at the movablerail side thereof, a fish plate disposed along the web portion of thestationary rail, bolts passing through said block and sntionary rail andsecuring the fish plate in place, and a clamp comprising a railconforming plate extending from the base portion 0'? each of the railsand having hooks formed to engage its lower flanged edges, one of saidhe ks clamping over the fish plate, and the other over the web flangeand shoulder of said movable rail, and an adjustable wedge disposedbetween the stationary rail and companion heck of the clamp, said wedgebeing provided in its face with a multiplicity of longitiulinally spacedkeeper holes for reception of a selectively applicable cotter key forretaining its relative position, the said movable rail and clamp, sai dmovable rail clamp being sin'iilarly formed with the heel block withlubricant receiving and distributing means disposed in contact with theout-sides of said shifting rail.

4-. In an expansion and contraction compensating structure of the classdescribed, comprising a jointed rail, and a continuous rail inconverging relation to said jointed rail, a heel block between saidrails, said heel biocl; being provided, at the point contacting thecontinuous rail, with longitudinal lubricant conducting channels, andbelow said channels with a plurality of deep squared sockets leading tobolt holes through the block, and a clamp plate of conventional typeengaging the outer face of the jointed rail, and bolts having squaredheads cisposed in said sockets and having their threaded ends throughsaid block, the web of the rail, and said clamp plate, and nuts on saidends of the bolts; and another clai .p plate contacting the outer faceof the continuous rail hav a base flange provided with cotter pin holes,a. cotter pin in one of said holes and a rail spreading preventing meansin re ntive contact with the said clamps and exterior-iv in contact withthe rails, comprising a body having upstanding hooked arms portions. I

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

OSCAR A. DICKSt N.

